Pocket sundial



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Patented liv/tay ll, 1926.

UNITED STAT TENT JOSEPH A. SAUTTER, OF WEST CORONA, NEW YORK.

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Application filed October 8,1924. Serial No. 742,278.

This invention relates generally to sundials having more particular reference to a pocket sundial, the invention having for an object the provision of a novel type of pocket sundial provided with means for adjusting the indicator finger to the proper angles for different latitudes.

For further comprehension of the invention,and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawing, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

F ig. 1 of the drawing is a side view of my improved pocket sundial, showing the parts extended to operative position.

Fig. 2 is a front view thereof.

Fig. 3 is a plan view with the various parts folded upon the base.

F ig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary side view.

Fig. 5 is a partial transverse sectional view, this view illustrating particular-l f the means for retaining the hour ring in adjusted positions.

Referring now to the drawing, the reference numeral indicates a shallow receptacle or casing in which is mounted in the usual manner a compass needle 11, this needle registering` with a properly positioned mark 12 on the receptacle bottom when the device is ready for use. rThe casing is provided at its upper end with a radial flange 14 at one side of which is pivotally attached, as at- 15, a ring` 16. To the inner face of this ring 16 is attached an arcuate band 17 whose ends are remote from the hinge point of the ring. The inner face of this band is marked with the numbers one to twelve suitably spaced therealong.

To throw a shadow upon the band 17 l provide a finger 2O that is fixed on a rod 21 extending diametrically of the ring parallel to the hinge aXis of the latter, this rod being journaled at its ends in the sides of the ring.

To position the ring 16 at the correct angl-e with respect to the compass, which latter is horizontally disposed when the device is in use, I provide an arcuate wing 25 that is pivotally attached at one end as at 26 to the side of the flange 14 with its axis at right angles to the axis of the ring, and

which projects across the edge of the latter, this wing being curved concentric to the pivotal axis of the ring. The hinge earsk the receptacle. To ensure of horizontal positioning of the receptacle when the device is in use I provide a small plumb bob 30 that is suspended freely from a frame member 31 hing-ed as at 32 to the flange 14 on the opposite side of the receptacle from the ring 16, the hinge ears of this frame also having tail-pieces that rest' on ythe flange when the frame is in vertical position.

To secure the ring 16 to the wing 25 the latter may have a serrated slot 35 formed therein, the serrations 36 of which are spaced in degrees or multiples ofdegrees of latitude. The rod 21 is then mounted for sliding movemen+U in the ring and is provided at one end with a squared projection 37 that engages in the selected serration in the wing 25. A. spring 38, that is fixed at one end to the band 17 and is formed at its other end with an opening through which the rod extends, bears on the latter and acts to retain the same in position with the squared end portion 3'? projected into the slot 35.y I may, as shown, make the rod 21 of cranked form. Vilith this arrangement the rod is posi* tioned either above or below the band 17 and therefore does not project a shadow on the latter.

lt is believed that the manner of use of my improved sundial will be readily apparent from the above description. The receptacle is laid in a horizontal position with the compass needle 11 registering with the mark 12. The ring 16 is then swung upward to register with the mark on the wing 25 that indicates the latitude of the user, and the finger 20 is then swung upward or downward to a position perpendicular with respect to the plane of the ring, and the angular elevation to the sun causes the light rays'to be directed through the ring from the upper side or from the lower. When the device is not in use the parts 16, 25, and 31 are swung to lie on top of the receptacle as shown in Fig. 3.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States is as followsz- 1. A pocket sundial comprising a compass, an hour ring pivotally attached at one side to the side of the compass, a calibrated member on said compass for holding said hour ring in adjusted positions, and a linger carried by said ring, said iinger being arranged to project either upwardly or downwardly from said ring at right angles to the latter.

2. A pocket sundial comprising a compass, an hour ring pivotally attached at one side to the side of the compass, a calibrated member on said compass for holding said hour ring in adjusted positions, and a finger carried by' said ring, and means on said ring engaging said calibrated member to retain the ring in adjusted positions.

3'. A pocket sundial comprising a compass, an hour ringV pivotally attached at one side to the side of the compass, a calibrated member on said compass for holding said hour ring in adjusted positions, and a finger carried by said ring, and means on said ring engaging said calibrated member to retain the ringin adjusted positions, said calibrated member being in the form of an arcuate Wing hinged to the side of the compass.

4. A pocket sundial comprising a compass, an hour ring pivotally attached at one side to the side of the compass, a rod extending across said ring and being journaled in the sides thereof to permit of both rotary and sliding movement of' the rod, a linger iXed to said rod, said rod having a projection from one end thereof, a calibrated Wing hinged to the side of the compass and formed with a longitudinal slot having ser- -rations in one side Wall thereof, said serrations being adapted to selectively receive the said projection, and a spring bearing on said rod to retain it in position with the said projection Vengaged With one or' the said serrations. l l

5. A pocket sundial comprising acompass, an hour ring pivotally attached at one side to the side ot' the compass, a rod extending across said ring and being journaled in the sides theerot to permit of both rotary and sliding movement of the rod, a finger fixed to said rod, said rod having a projection from one end thereof, a calibrated Wing hinged to the side of the compass and formed with a longitudinal slot having serrations in one side Wall thercot, said serrations being adapted to selectively receive the said projection and a spring bearing on said rod to retain it in position with the said projection engaged with one of the said serrations, said rod being formed with an intermediate cranked portion to which the said linger is fixed..

In testimony whereof I have aiixed my signature.

.osnrn A. sAUTTnR. 

